Still Time for Joy

For people living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, memories of music often remain, even after so many others are gone. With the help of a book, "Music, Memory, and Meaning", co-authored by music therapist Tara Jenkins, caregivers can learn how to use music to bring some joy to their loved ones, and in some cases, even reduce difficult behaviors.

Jenkins, founder of Harmony in Dementia, has been a board-certified music therapist since 2008. She wrote the book to give caregivers and their loved ones another way to connect,  even when the person living with dementia is no longer able to speak.

The book explains why music is such a powerful tool, provides playlists of popular songs, as well as information and questions that serve as a starting point for engaged discussions.

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Harmony in Dementia  https://www.harmonyindementia.com/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/
#dementiacaregiving #musictherapy #powerofmusic

When is the last time you explored the night sky firsthand and looked at the moon and the stars? Watch this episode with beautiful images of the moon, the Milky Way, and more, to be inspired to get outside and look up.
Jim Webster, president of the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (ASTRA), says we all should explore the night sky more often. ASTRA holds "Star Parties", where members share their telescopes and knowledge with newcomers and anyone interested in astronomy.
In this interview, Webster talks about opportunities for citizen science, as well as the importance of reducing light pollution, which makes stargazing more difficult, and affects people, plants, and animals. 
Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area meets at the planetarium at Ocean County College  https://www.astra-nj.com/
SciStarter (citizen science)  https://scistarter.org/
DarkSky International  https://darksky.org/
List of Astronomy Clubs in the US  https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/clubs/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Grief is an inevitable part of the caregiver journey, especially in dementia caregiving. Grief may not be acknowledged as people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are still present, even as caregivers watch with despair as they slip away, often over the course of many years. 

Caregivers also grieve the changes to their own lives, as dementia caregiving can quickly become all-consuming, and exact a heavy financial toll, significantly altering the way caregivers expected to live their lives.

Deb Hallisey, certified dementia practitioner and caregiver advocate, explains several experiences of grief that may be a part of the caregiving journey: ambiguous loss, anticipatory grief, and grief relief. She also outlines strategies caregivers can use to help alleviate sadness, including accurately naming feelings, seeking support—online or in-person—therapy, journaling, and more.

Advocate for Mom and Dad https://advocateformomanddad.com/
Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

When you think about techniques to reduce stress, holding your breath underwater may not immediately come to mind. But with proper training, free diving can provide both physical and mental health benefits, similar to meditation practices and yoga.

Brandon Cadalzo, who grew up snorkeling and scuba diving at the New Jersey Shore, found free diving helped him deal with the trauma of working as a respiratory therapist during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Today, Cadalzo is training for an upcoming free diving competition in Dominica, and he also is studying to become an instructor, to teach others about the therapeutic benefits of spending time underwater.

Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Caregivers often are so busy scheduling appointments with doctors for their loved ones, and handling countless other caregiving tasks, that they wind up neglecting their own physical and emotional needs. This is not sustainable, and it leads to frustration, anger, and overwhelm. Caregivers need to shift their mindset and realize that their own needs are just as important as the needs of their loved one. 

Deb Hallisey is a certified dementia practitioner at Advocate for Mom and Dad, who explains how to develop a Care Plan for the Caregiver, so caregivers can get to their own appointments, and schedule time away for rest and relaxation.

#dementiacaregiving  #dementiatips  #CarePlanfortheCaregiver
Advocate for Mom and Dad  https://advocateformomanddad.com/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

If you’re looking to instantly add a little more joy to your life, consider sending flowers, or buying some for yourself. Studies show gifting flowers boosts the mood of both sender and recipient, and also strengthens their bond. The sight and fragrance of beautiful, fresh flowers increases feel-good brain chemicals, too.

Ken Malagiere, owner of Narcissus Florals in Toms River and Spring Lake, NJ, explains how his own work painting fine art influences his unique floral designs.

Malagiere is also the executive director of the Ocean County College Foundation in Toms River, raising funds to support educational programs and student scholarships. He says his community work and frequent travel with friends and family are two of the greatest sources of joy in his life.

Narcissus Florals https://narcissusflorals.com/
Sandra Levine Productions: https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

#freshflowers #valentinesday #StillTimeforJoy #floraldesign #weddingflorist

Spending time walking outdoors in the woods has so many benefits, for both our physical health and mental well-being. But many women are not comfortable hiking alone, so they miss out on this simple and affordable opportunity for both better health and more joy.

Alexis Liastro formed the Facebook group “Ladies Only! NJ Hiking Group” in late 2020, to help connect women who love hiking. To date, there are nearly 25,000 members in the group, encouraging and empowering one another to get out in the woods more often. 

Members create an event on the page, listing the date, location, and additional details of a planned hike, and other women join the outing. A huge added bonus: countless new friendships have formed, that exist both within and outside the woods.

There are similar online groups that help hikers find hiking buddies around the country and around the world.

Special thanks to Alexis Liastro and Sonya Noyes for contributing photographs for this production.

Ladies Only! NJ Hiking Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/814745252688011

Sandra Levine Productions: https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Watch this video for a list of some organizations seeking money, supplies, and volunteers to help with the disaster relief effort in Los Angeles, California. The deadly fires have left entire communities completely destroyed, and the need is enormous. If you're able to help, please do. 

There are many organizations battling the wildfires and working in disaster relief that are in need of donations. Visit Charity Navigator to find nonprofits with top ratings, to make sure your donations have the greatest impact.  https://www.charitynavigator.org/

American Red Cross  https://www.redcross.org/
World Central Kitchen. https://wck.org/
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation  https://supportlafd.org/
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank https://www.lafoodbank.org/
Pasadena Humane  https://pasadenahumane.org/
#LosAngelesWildfires #Donate

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Caregiving for a loved one with dementia can be exhausting and overwhelming. It's important to learn to ask for help, and say "YES" when it's offered, even if the person filling in does tasks a bit differently than you.

Watch this episode to learn a SMART way to ask for  help. Developed in the 1980s by George Doran for achieving goals, the SMART acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time Related. You have a much better chance of getting help if you have a list of tasks ready, and you are very clear about exactly what needs to be done, and by when. It's equally important to pick the right person for each job; align your ask with their interests and comfort level.

Today's guest is Deb Hallisey, a caregiver advocate and certified dementia practitioner at Advocate for Mom and Dad  https://advocateformomanddad.com/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/
#dementiacaregiving

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

The New Year provides all of us with a fresh start. It’s a great time to take a good look at your life and make some changes—big or small—if you're not happy with what you see.

Watch this short preview of what we'll be covering in 2025 on "Still Time for Joy". You'll hear from experts about advocating for yourself as a caregiver, carving out time for your own mental and physical well-being—despite your busy schedule—and getting out in nature to strengthen your body and soothe your soul.

We'll try our hands at art and music just for fun, deepen connections with supportive friends and family, and limit the drama through better boundaries.

"Still Time for Joy" Host Sandra Levine shares some images of her beloved sunflowers from her garden, that brought her so much joy this past year, even bringing sunshine to the show's set—miraculously, all the way into December.
Happy New Year to all of you from all of us at "Still Time for Joy"!

Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd